Miss Scarlet's School of Patternless Sewing (Crafty Chica) [Paperback]

Kathy Cano-Murillo (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 8, 2011 | Series: Crafty Chica (Book 2)

Sometimes to find your life's true path, you have to stray outside the lines . . .

Scarlet Santana is never happier than when creating fabulous fashions for women of all shapes and sizes. Now, after years of hard work, she finally has the chance to live her dream and study under the hottest designer in New York. To raise money for her move, Scarlet opens an after-hours sewing school in a local record shop, teaching a type-A working mom whose rigid parenting style is causing her family to unravel and an enigmatic seamstress with a mysterious past.

But as stitches give way to secrets and classmates become friends, the women realize an important truth: There is no single pattern for a good life. Happiness is always a custom fit.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

The founder of popular www.craftychica.com pens her second Crafty Chica novel, following Waking Up in the Land of Glitter (2010). Scarlet Santana has abandoned a promising engineering career to follow her passion for sewing. To raise money to attend a prestigious design academy in New York, she works for a local designer, teaches a sewing class, and sells clothes on her web site devoted to Daisy de la Flora, the flamboyant designer who inspired Scarlet�s retro look and bubbly approach to life. As Scarlet works herself to exhaustion, the women in her sewing class become their own an unofficial support group. When her big break turns out to be a big bust, Scarlet must consider whether following her dream is worth losing herself. Cano-Murillo lays the quirkiness on thick, but the story amidst the gimmicks has a lot of heart. --Aleksandra Walker

Review

"With wit and sass reminiscent of Fannie Flagg, Cano-Murillo manages to extract much mirth from her cast of craftsters, each striving to transcend restrictive patterns in life (as well as dressmaking) and to defeat family expectations that are squelching self-expression." (Kirkus )

"A fun read about stumbling into love, honoring friendship, and celebrating the power of craft. Full of good cheer!" (Kate Jacobs, New York Times bestselling author of The Friday Night Knitting Club on WAKING UP IN THE LAND OF GLITTER )

"Every word in this hilarious, fun read sparkles. Kathy Cano-Murillo is certainly an author to watch. I woke up in the land of happy reading!" (Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times bestselling author on WAKING UP IN THE LAND OF GLITTER )

"Waking Up in the Land of Glitter is wildly addictive! Funny, sweet, and slyly wicked, it draws you in so deeply that you're not even remotely mad you've spent the night on the couch, reading, and missed all of your shows on Bravo." (Laurie Notaro, New York Times bestselling author on WAKING UP IN THE LAND OF GLITTER )

"Kathy's novel dazzles! Through Ofie's purity of heart, Chloe's emotional transformation and Star's awakening to the shine that was always there, Waking Up in the Land of Glitter weaves a story of friendship, trust and self-discovery. Whether you're a painter, crocheter, sewer or have nary the crafty bone in your body you'll leave reading this book with the feeling that creativity is key, but love conquers all! A must-read for crafty women of all generations!" (Vickie Howell, host of DIY Network's Knitty Gritty and author of Pop Goes Crochet on WAKING UP IN THE LAND OF GLITTER )

"Kathy Cano-Murillo is an amazing storyteller--her narrative is as bejeweled as her crafty creations!" (Alberto Ferreras, author of B as in Beauty on WAKING UP IN THE LAND OF GLITTER )

"Who knew that glitter really does make the world a better place? Kathy's book is creative, inspirational and empowering, just like she is. I couldn't put it down!" (Terri O, TV Personality, Spokesperson, Craft Expert www.terriocraftprojects.com on WAKING UP IN THE LAND OF GLITTER )

" Clever character building and a fun storyline will leave readers with a case of the warm fuzzies. Just the thing to curl up with on a cold stormy day or take to the beach." (MonstersandCritics.com on WAKING UP IN THE LAND OF GLITTER )

"Cano-Murillo celebrates friendship and crafting in her fun, fabulous Crafty Chica novel. You'll want to get out your glue gun and invite your best friends over after reading this one." (RT Book Reviews on WAKING UP IN THE LAND OF GLITTER )

"Cano-Murillo, known as the 'Crafty Chica' and for her line of craft products, has delved into the writing world to create one of the most lively, imaginative novels I've run across lately. Full of humor, love, friendship and some pretty cool art projects, Waking Up in the Land of Glitter will have readers howling one minute, sobbing the next, and reaching for their trusty glue guns to create their very own 'love shrines' before the end of the book. This novel was just a delightful glittery, shiny, light-hearted treat." (Las Vegas Review-Journal on WAKING UP IN THE LAND OF GLITTER )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; Original edition (March 8, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 044650923X
• ISBN-13: 978-0446509237
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 1 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,087,145 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

People most know Kathy Cano-Murillo as The Crafty Chica. She has been profiled for her art and crafts in The New York Times, USA Today and NPR.

Kathy has been a writer longer than she has been a crafter, inspired in grade school by Erma Bombeck and Judy Blume. As an adult, Kathy went on to have a 13-year newspaper career at The Arizona Republic as an entertainment reporter, all while running her award-winning web site, CraftyChica.com. She has authored seven books including Crafty Chica's Art de la Soul and Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing.

In 2004, Kathy pursued her dream of writing a novel and finished her first draft for National Novel Writing Month. She wrote from 10 pm-2 am every night while her family slept, a tradition she still carries on to this day. Her manuscript sold in 2007 in a three-way bidding war to Grand Central Publishing.

Kathy's debut novel, Waking Up in the Land of Glitter released in March 2010 and her second, Miss Scarlet's School of Patternless Sewing in March 2011. She is currently writing her third book.

Kathy designs her own Crafty Chica product line through iLoveToCreate, a Duncan Enterprises Company, and she is also the Crafts Editor for BlogHer.com

Kathy's mission with her novels is to share stories about contemporary Latinas living and working in the creative arts. She lives in Phoenix, AZ, with her husband, two kids and five Chihuahuas. Her motto for life is "Crafts, drama and glitter".

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A fun book celebrating the power of craft April 7, 2011

By bookreader "Melanie"

Format:Paperback

This story is about Scarlet Santana. She is never as happy as when she is creating fabulous fashions and posting on her daisyforever.com blog. In fact, she walked away from a profitable job in engineering to pursue her passion for sewing and crafty designs. Now Scarlet finally has a chance to prove to her skeptical family that she can make it in the world of fashion when she is accepted into the Johnny Scissors design program in NYC. The only hitch is coming up with the expensive tuition money.

This is where the story really begins. Scarlet opens an after-hours sewing school in a local record shop to raise her funds. Here we are introduced to Maria Theresa, a extremely uptight, rigid, "follow the rules" mother of twins who signs up for the class as a suggestion from her marriage counselor. Then there is Rosa, an older women who seems to have a mysterious past. Mixed in with this group is Marco, the record store owner and several other class participants. Scarlet must ultimately decide whether she must pursue her dream and possibly lose herself in the process

I LOVED this book. There was a bit of romance, even some humor. Mostly thought it was about honoring friendships and family and finding ones inner strength and power. The writing was flawless in my opinion. I loved Scarlet's quirky character. She bubbled with enthusiasm, but was shown to have her limits just like everyone. I found myself enjoying all the female characters in this book. An uplifting story with strong female characters. You don't have to be into crafts to enjoy this story either.

This book even comes with 3 original project ideas and crafting tips at the end. I only wish their was a sketch include in that section showing up an idea of what Scarlet's famous Mexibilly frock looks like!

I am going to add this author's first book, Waking Up in the Land of Glitter to my to read list right now. One of the better books I have read this year!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it !!!!! March 25, 2011

By Steph83

Format:Paperback

I am part of a book club in Houston and this is the second book by Mrs. Kathy that we have read. This book was fun and inspiring , I could not put it down and finished it within 24hrs. Keep writing Kathy :-) you have a fan for life.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This book has it all and then some for every reader so don't miss the excitement, read. March 8, 2011

By Mary J. Gramlich VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Scarlet Santana believes that the past fuels her present despite the naysayers in her life and non-believers. Scarlet channels the greatness of designer Daisy de la Flora who revolutionized fashion in her Nana's time to help her see how great fashion should be envisioned. Daisy's life is shrouded in mystery and full of excitement and Scarlet is a living, breathing expert on all things Daisy right down to every little button on Daisy's dresses. Not knowing if Daisy is even alive still Scarlet believes that Daisy's designing spirit lives inside her and she has devoted her fashion sense and style in adoration of Daisy. Scarlet has also created a Daisy website and blog where she reminds her followers to chase those dreams and celebrate the little victories in your life and her readers are devoted and respond in kind to her positive attitude.

It is not easy for Scarlet to always celebrate victories when her family is trying to move her onto another career path; her boss is a single-minded fashion diva not looking to mentor but mock Scarlet's ideas; and she is short on the money she needs to get into an exclusive design school in New York. But Scarlet moves past the difficulties and opens up a sewing class to raise the money and keep her dreams flourishing. Having lost her first location her second option proves to be even better, even if it is a record store add-on but the owner is one cute distraction. Scarlet doesn't care where she sews she just needs to sew, design and work at teaching others how to tap into their inner skills. Scarlet has the will power to make this happen and the students who want to learn how to create masterpieces using Scarlet's idea of sewing without a pattern. Scarlet may have her design ideas in the past but her business sense is in the future and she uses every idea to create innovative fashion creations and sewing fixes.

As the class progresses and the students become friends and Scarlet continues to work on her vision of what life can become for everyone. She wants to take the framework of everything in her life and create something wonderful despite the negative thoughts and those that don't believe because she knows all this makes her what she is and can be. While on the way to New York one road block after another presents itself but Scarlet gets past them and the reward for her effort is one she could never have anticipated.

This book is an honor to read because the more I read the more I believed this is not fiction but someone's biography of a life well lived. The story is well written, the characters enchanting and Scarlet a delight. You start by cheering her on and in the end celebrate her a huge victory that is well deserved. The sad part is the book must end because you really want to know how the world continues to see Scarlet once she is able to celebrate her small victories.